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Velvet cuskeel (Lalmohania velutina) — Monacanthidae

Velvet cuskeel

Lalmohania velutina
Family: Monacanthidae

The Velvet cuskeel (Lalmohania velutina) is a saltwater fish of the family Monacanthidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
7.2 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–5.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The velvet cuskeel is a cusk eel (Ophidiidae) of the deep, soft bottoms of the Indian Ocean. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a flabby, elongate, pale body with a velvety skin, long, confluent dorsal and anal fins and small eyes. As a sluggish bottom-dweller of the dark deep water it shelters in soft sediment and snaps at small crustaceans and worms. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Velvet cuskeel?

The Velvet cuskeel has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly white.

Where does the Velvet cuskeel live?

The Velvet cuskeel lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Velvet cuskeel get?

The Velvet cuskeel grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Velvet cuskeel dangerous to humans?

No, the Velvet cuskeel is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Fluweel-diepzeebrotula sourced
English name
Velvet cuskeel sourced
Scientific name
Lalmohania velutina
Family
Monacanthidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.2 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
White inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
5.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Monacanthidae

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